Study Reveals Epidemic of STI’s in the U.S. Not Slowing Down

Every STI is preventable. The spread of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, HIV, and trichomoniasis could all be put to a halt with condoms.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control released two studies showing the spreading of knowledge to wear a condom has not put a stop to the rapid spreading of STI’s. More people need to practice safe sex to put an end to this epidemic.

One of the studies revealed that in 2008 alone, there were 20 million new incidents of infection in the United States. The spreading of the STI’s is rapidly increasing; studies previously examining the number infected found 18.9 million in 2000 and the 15 million in 1996.

The most common of the infections was HPV and Chlamydia. The spreading HPV is especially unfortunate, because there is a vaccine to completely prevent the disease given to young girls. Sadly only 35% of young girls in the United States complete the vaccination before the age of 17, leaving the rest open to the infection.

The Consequences of the Epidemic

Some will quickly point out the health costs this epidemic incurs on the United States, an estimated 16 billion, but we are more concerned about the health of women that it targets.

We can’t emphasize enough how important that it is to get screened for STI’s when sexually active, especially for young people. Although people aged 15-24 account for a quarter of the U.S. population, they account for half of sexually transmitted infections.

The consequences of STI’s can be life threatening if left untreated. For all STI’s there is a specific method of treatment to make sure that it doesn’t get worse leading to cancer, infertility or any other number of things. Let us help you find out if you need treatment, and if you do we are ready to help.

There is a silver lining to all the bad news according to Matthew Golden, the director of Public Health Seattle and King County HIV/STD Program and a professor of medicine at the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD. Golden said that the rates for most viral and bacterial infections, including HIV, have stabilized or even dropped.

We are hoping to one day see an HIV and AIDs free generation. We need to slow the spreading of dangerous STI’s as well. Do your part to stop the epidemic and ensure the quality of your health. Practice safe sex and get screened regularly. The world is a better place from not so long ago, but we are the only one who can do our own part to make it better for future generations.